3:10 to Yuma Parent Guide

In this western, Civil War veteran Dan Evans (Christian Bale) agrees to be the armed escort for a captured killer named Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) who needs catch a train to his trial. But with the outlaw's gang determined to ambush Evan's effort, it is going to be a difficult task getting the criminal on the 3:10 to Yuma.

Parent Movie Reviewby Rod Gustafson

Westerns were once the mainstay of Hollywood coffers, but lately those who have been yearnin’ for a “duster” have come up dry at the local movie house. 3:10 to Yuma is one of the first to come along in a while, and what it lacks in originality (it’s a remake of a 1957 film) it more than makes up for in quality.

Like the original, this one plays out on the Arizona desert (although it’s shot in New Mexico, with incredible scenery painting nearly every frame). The story follows a downtrodden rancher, Dan Evans (Christian Bale), who is being pushed off his land by an ongoing drought, creditors threatening to foreclose on his mortgage and the expanding railroad. But fate deals him a second chance when outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) is captured after robbing a local armored coach. Because the bandit’s gang is still at large, Evans’ Civil War sharpshooter skills are suddenly in high demand by the very railroad that was seeking to remove him. Offering a reward large enough to pay off his debts, the desperate cowboy agrees to join the small posse of men attempting to escort the thief and murderer to a prison train headed for Yuma, while at the same time trying to dodging a mob willing to kill to get their leader back.

The “road trip” gives these men plenty of time to get to know one another. It quickly becomes apparent that Wade’s smooth tongue has been instrumental in allowed the criminal to reach his infamous status. No matter how many times he’s told to shut up, his persistent, carefully chosen words are evidence that the mouth is mightier than the pistol. For Evans, the stealthy crook’s manipulative techniques are especially distracting.

Although the rancher holds no good feelings toward the railroad, his ethics demand that justice be served even if his conscience is being stretched to the limit by Wade’s convincing chatter and attractive bribes. He also badly wants to live up to the heroic expectations of his sons, who have long relished his war stories. However, a growing respect between Evans and Wade is causing both men to wrestle with their roles in this deadly delivery.

Psychological tension runs high during this bullet-fest, and those in attendance will have little reason to let their minds drift. The script offers many moments of insightful dialogue, while strong performances drive home the characters’ motivations. However, violence goes well beyond the point necessary for viewers to understand Wade’s wickedness. Countless people are shot, many on screen with bloody details. Frequent use of scatological and other profanities, terms of deity and two uses of a sexual expletive will also pose concerns for parents considering this US R-rated title. So will a scene where we see Wade’s softer, artistic side, when he sketches a nude barmaid (seen briefly in soft-focus from behind).

The decision to include these content issues is unfortunate, because 3:10 To Yuma could easily have conveyed the same impact in a PG-13 version. Obviously not a choice for children, the mature story effectively portrays the unseen dilemmas raging in the darkest of hearts, as well as the wars of conscience battling within the most ethical of minds.

About author

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.

3:10 to YumaRating & Content Info

Why is 3:10 to Yuma rated R?3:10 to Yuma is rated R by the MPAA for violence and some language.

Parents considering this film for teens should be aware it contains ongoing gun violence in an old west setting. Countless people are shot, including background, secondary, and principal characters, as well as those depicted as innocent bystanders. Explicit bloody wounds are depicted, including surgery on a conscious man. A man is electrocuted by his captors. Consequences are meted out for most characters involved in illegal behavior, but this is often through vigilante or vengeful actions. Language includes frequent moderate profanities (mostly scatological terms), two uses of a sexual expletive, and some terms of deity. Sexual content is primarily limited to a man who sketches a nude woman (shown momentarily from behind in soft-focus). Derogatory remarks toward Chinese and African-Americans are briefly heard. People drink hard liquor.

Page last updated March 13, 2009

More parents' guide for 3:10 to Yuma after the break...

3:10 to Yuma Parents' Guide

Wade shows civilized moments when he quotes Biblical scriptures, sketches, and discusses family life. How does this character development affect our impression of this man?

How does Wade respond when someone else suggests he’s not all bad? Do you agree? Are you ever tempted to underestimate or justify another’s evil tendencies? Or do you think there is room for “good” in even the most deviant of personalities?

How do the conversations between Wade and Evans change their feelings toward each other? While his captors were able to take away his guns, how was Wade’s mouth just as potent?

You can still visit the remains of the Yuma Territorial Prison in Arizona. Check this site: http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/az/yumaterritorialprison.html

Home Video

The most recent home video release of 3:10 to Yuma movie is January 7, 2008. Here are some details…

3:10 To Yuma moseys onto DVD with the following bonus materials packed in its saddlebags: an audio commentary by director James Mangold, deleted scenes, a documentary (Destination Yuma) and two featurettes (An Epic Explored and Outlaws, Guns and Posses). Audio tracks are available in Dolby Digital 5.1(English), with subtitles in English and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

The character Dan Evans has an inherent need to be his son’s hero, as does the father in the movie Resurrecting the Champ. Despite all outward evidence, a son continues to believe there is some good in his evil father in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Cathy Konrad and James Mangold, the producers, writers and directors of this film, also teamed up on the movie Walk The Line.